O.P. Nayyar: Mere Sanam (1965)

Here's a somewhat unobtrusive yet rather wonderful soundtrack from the mid-1960s. O.P. Nayyar's work often seemed to be influenced by sounds and rhythms (in particular) from across the musical spectrum, which in the case of 'Mere Sanam' [review] results in quite a varied collection of songs. Opener 'Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfon Ka Andhera' is a gorgeous bossa-tinged ballad, while waltz-timed 'Yeh Ab Aap Sochiye' has a lullaby-like quality. 'Pukarta Chala Hoon Main' has a nice folky twang, and 'Jaiye Aap Kahan Jayenge' verges on country. Cabaret number 'Humdum Mere Maan Bhi Jao' comes with a Latin twist; 'Bhalla Mano Bura Mano' has a slight tropical/Hawaiian vibe. And so on... I'm actually finding it hard to pick highlights, but only because I love them all. That's pretty rare. It's performed in its entirety by Asha Bhosle and/or Mohd. Rafi; despite liking variety that's not a combo I'm liable to complain about.

Track listing:
1. Asha Bhosle: Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfon Ka Andhera
2. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Yeh Ab Aap Sochiye
3. Mohd. Rafi: Pukarta Chala Hoon Main
4. Asha Bhosle: Jaiye Aap Kahan Jayenge
5. Mohd. Rafi: Humdum Mere Maan Bhi Jao
6. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Roka Kai Bar Main Ne
7. Mohd. Rafi: Tukde Hain Mere Dilke
8. Mohd. Rafi: Bhalla Mano Bura Mano
9. Asha Bhosle, Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Haji Haji Haji Are Haji Baba


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O.P. Nayyar: Howrah Bridge (1958)

'Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu' is a track it seems almost everyone has heard, or seen... it's one of those ubiquitous classics with a universal appeal, a superbly captivating example of cheerful Bollywood-style proto-rock 'n' roll that's impossible to dislike, and there's always going to be someone sharing the YouTube clip. Can you blame them?

And on screen, it was 19-year-old actress-dancer Helen's big breakthrough...

The rest of 'Howrah Bridge' [review] is good too. The King of Rhythm O.P. Nayyar lives up to his moniker; these are peppy songs with quirky beats and bundles of charm. At the moment I like 'Aaiye Meharban' and 'Eent Ki Dukki Paan Ka Ikka' best, but it's really an album to enjoy all the way through.

Happy holidays y'all!

Track listing:
1. Geeta Dutt: Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu
2. Asha Bhosle: Aaiye Meharban
3. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Dekh Ke Teri Nazar
4. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Gora Rang Chunariya Kali
5. Asha Bhosle: Yeh Kya Kar Dala Tune
6. Mohd. Rafi: Eent Ki DUkki Paan Ka Ikka
7. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Mohabbat Ka Haath Jawani Ka Pala
8. Shamshad Begum & Mohd. Rafi: Main Jaan Gayi Tujhe Sainya
9. Title Music

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O.P. Nayyar: C.I.D. 909 (1967) / Sapan Jagmohan: Do Raha (1971)

More music for India's Crime Investigation Department. I don't think  'C.I.D. 909' [review] is a sequel to 1956's 'C.I.D' (see previous post), but once again O.P. Nayyar was in charge of the soundtrack. Bollywood film music had changed a lot in the decade separating the two scores, and to be honest I prefer this one. I'd love to get hold of the full length LP version; unfortunately it's proving incredibly difficult to find. So this EP will have to suffice, for now.

All four songs are really good, beginning with the summery, Hawaiian-tinged 'Nadi Ka Kinara Ho'. Seductive cabaret number 'Yaar Badshah Yaar Dilruba' (featuring a gorgeous looking Helen on screen) is up next, followed by 'Chaho To Jaan Lelo'; sweet and romantic pop. The catchy 'Dhadka To Hoga Dil Zarur' ends the record on a sing-a-long high.

As is often the case with EPs the sound is a bit scratchy.



Sapan Jagmohan were responsible for one of my favourite 1970s soundtracks, the very cool, very sexy 'Call Girl'. Music of a similar quality can be heard on a couple of EP-only releases of theirs from the same period that I'm aware of; 'Do Raha' is one of them. (Others are high up on my want list.)

And there's only good stuff here as well. 'Tumhi Rahnuma Ho' is a great drunk-song with an infectious groove, catchy melody and cool instrumental breaks. Equally wonderful is 'Meri Bagiya Ki Kali', a beautifully hypnotic ballad with an exquisite arrangement. The more traditional sounding 'Dole Jhumka Mora' didn't interest me as much at first, but its incessant beat has been growing on me of late.

A funny thing: Track 2, which on both cover and label is entitled 'Tera Na Ho Mere Jaisa Haal', doesn't appear to actually exist. From what I've gathered, no song with that name featured in the film, and what is heard on the record is in fact 'Meri Bagiya Ki Kali' again. I can just about understand them including that twice, if only to fill the EP format (and both are included in the download), but I'm clueless as to where the other title came from. (Perversely, the iTunes version of the soundtrack adds a Talat Mahmood song from another film called Do Raha – from 1952.)

Track listing, 'C.I.D. 909':
1. Asha Bhosle: Nadi Ka Kinara Ho
2. Asha Bhosle: Yaar Badshah Yaar Dilruba
3. Asha Bhosle: Chaho To Jaan Lelo
4. Asha Bhosle, Mahendra Kapoor & Kamal Barot: Dhadka To Hoga Dil Zarur

Track listing, 'Do Raha'
1. Asha Bhosle: Tumhi Rahnuma Ho
2. Asha Bhosle: Tera Na Ho Mere Jaisa Haal
3. Asha Bhosle: Dole Jhumka Mora
4. Asha Bhosle: Meri Bagiya Ki Kali

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O.P. Nayyar: C.I.D. (1956)

Despite its title, and despite the film being labelled a thriller, the soundtrack to Guru Dutt's "C.I.D." sounds nothing like what I generally associate with crime film music. While I wasn't necessarily expecting a gritty, urban jazz Henry Mancini or Lalo Schifrin type score, it was surprising to find songs as easy-going as on this O.P. Nayyar effort.

It's rather nice all the way through, although I'm unable to really pick out highlights; the music sort of floats pleasantly along without any particular tracks nor bits of them sticking out. All were apparently hits. Opener 'Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan' is sweet and curiously rustic sounding, and at the opposite end 'Ankhon Hi Ankhon Men' is similarly bright and cheery. 'Kahin Pe Nigahen Kahin Pe Nishana' and 'Leke Pahla Pahla Pyar' have more of an exotic feel. My favourite is probably the Latin-tinged 'Jata Kahan Hai Diwane', sung by the producer's wife.

Track listing:
1. Mohd. Rafi & Geeta Dutt: Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan
2. Shamshad Begum: Boojh Mera Kya Naam Re
3. Shamshad Begum: Kahin Pe Nigahen Kahin Pe Nishana
4. Asha Bhosle, Shamshad Begum & Mohd. Rafi: Leke Pahla Pahla Pyar
5. Geeta Dutt: Jata Kahan Hai Diwane
6. Geeta Dutt & Mohd. Rafi: Ankhon Hi Ankhon Men

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O.P. Nayyar: Aar Paar (1954/1968)

I think it's fair to say that hadn't it been for the 60s/70s masala beat and funk stuff, Burman and Kalyanji Anandji et al., I wouldn't have been as much into Bollywood soundtracks as I arguably am. But I'd still have been a fan of Geeta Dutt; with all due respect to Asha and Lata, she's my favourite of the female playback singers. So when a vintage O.P. Nayyar score comes along which has her singing on all but one of the tracks, odds are I'm going to like it. And I do.

'Aar Paar' is a lovely album, packaged in a gorgeous sleeve. Soothingly sweet melodies and subtle rhythms all around; 'Hoon Abhi Main Jawan', 'Sun Sun Sun Sun Zalima', 'Babuji Dheere Chalna' and 'Ye Lo Main Haari Piya'... tonics for jaded ears, the lot of them. You can't ask for more than that.

Track listing:
1. Shamshad Begum: Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar
2. Geeta Dutt: Hoon Abhi Main Jawan
3. Geeta Dutt & Mohd. Rafi: Sun Sun Sun Sun Zalima
4. Geeta Dutt: Ja Ja Ja Ja Bewfa
5. Geeta Dutt: Babuji Dheere Chalna
6. Geeta Dutt: Ye Lo Main Haari Piya
7. Geeta Dutt & Mohd. Rafi: Muhabbat Kar Lo Jee Bharlo
8. Geeta Dutt & Mohd. Rafi: Na Na Na Na Tauba Tauba

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O.P. Nayyar: Kismat (1968)

Here's a rather good O.P. Nayyar score, on which it's apparent why he was often referred to as the King of Rhythm. All sorts of rhythms. There's not much to dislike on 'Kismat' [review]; highlights include the swing flavoured rock'n'roll number 'One Two Three Baby', the old timey country song 'Lakhon Hain Yahan Dilwale' (featuring, it seems, The Monkees), the tipsily sung lounge track 'Aao Huzoor Tumko', and a fabulous Title Music.

An odd pressing incidently; I have no idea where the Akash label came from. Possibly the Netherlands.

Track listing:
1. Mahendra Kapoor: Aankhon Men Qayamat Ke Kajal
2. Asha Bhosle & Shamshad: Kajra Mohabbat Wala
3. Title Music
4. Asha Bhosle: Aao Huzoor Tumko
5. Mahendra Kapoor: Lakhon Hain Yahan Dilwale
6. Asha Bhosle & Mahendra Kapoor: One Two Three Baby

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O.P. Nayyar: Mr. & Mrs. 55 (1955)

Another oldie. While not quite as good as the below, O.P. Nayyar's 'Mr. & Mrs. 55' [review] is a very worthwhile listen. There's a sweet, romantic vibe running through a lot of it, and what it perhaps lacks in terms of memorable songs, it makes up for in nostalgic charm.

My favourite tracks are (predictably) Geeta Dutt's; 'Thandi Hawa Kali Ghata' and 'Nile Aasmani' in particular.

Track listing:
1. Geeta Dutt & Mohd. Rafi: Jane Kahan Mera Jigar Gaya Ji
2. Geeta Dutt & Chorus: Thandi Hawa Kali Ghata
3. Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Meri Duniya Lut Rahi Thi
4. Geeta Dutt: Nile Aasmani
5. Geeta Dutt & Mohd. Rafi: Udhar Tum Haseen Ho
6. Mohd. Rafi: Aeji Dil Par Hua Aesa Jadoo
7. Shamsad Begum: Ab To Ji Hone Laga
8. Mohd. Rafi & Geeta Dutt: Chal Diye Banda Nawaz
9. Geeta Dutt: Preetam Aan Milo

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O.P. Nayyar: Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957/1978)

A short and sweet oldie from the King of Rhythm, O.P. Nayyar. (I had meant to post it last week but noticed at the last minute there were glitches in the initial rip. Hopefully it's OK now). There's nothing on 'Tumsa Nahin Dekha' that amazes me in a big way, but for vintage sounding songs and nice rhythms, you could do a lot worse. Best track is the bouncy 'Aaye Hain Door Se', with 'Jawanian Yeh Mast Mast' running a close second.

Track listing:
1. Mohd. Rafi: Tumse Nahin Dekha
2. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Aaye Hain Door Se
3. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Dekho Kasam Se
4. Mohd. Rafi: Jawanian Yeh Mast Mast
5. Mohd. Rafi: Chhupne Wale
6. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Sar Par Topi

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The Magnificent O.P. Nayyar: His Memorable Film Hits (1979)

Following on from the last post, an album that compiles some of O.P. Nayyar's earlier songs. Hits the title says, though I wouldn't really know; I'm sure some of them were.

There's some ace stuff on it though: The lovely 'Haath Aaya Hai Jab Se Tera Haath Men' (from 'Dil Aur Mohabbat') with its funny Hawaiian sounding break, the happy 'Piya Piya Piya Mora Jiya Pukare' ('Baap Re Baap') with a bit of yodelling in it, the cool and slighty jazzy 'Raat Sard Sard Hai' ('Jaali Note'), the charming 'Too Zara Si Baat Pe' ('Mr. Lambu'), and best of all, the delightfully chirpy 'Chor Lutera Daku' ('Ustad'). Geeta Dutt has a really sweet voice... and you can hear where Nayyar's reputation as the King of Rhythm was coming from.

And more. Lots of goodies. As Best Of's go, 'The Magnificent O.P. Nayyar' is a swell album.

Incidentally, Nayyar was the only Bollywood music director of note to never once utilize Lata Mangeshkar. Funny chap.

Track listing:
1. Mohd. Rafi & Geeta Dutt: Tumhin Ne Dard Diya Hai (from Chhoo Mantar, 1956)
2. Geeta Dutt: Chor Lutera Daku (from Ustad, 1957)
3. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Yun Muskuru Ke (from Qaidi, 1957
4. Asha Bhosle, Shamshad Begum & Mohd. Rafi: To Bolo Kya Karo Ge (from Do Ustad, 1959)
5. Asha Bhosle & Mahendra Kapoor: Haath Aaya Hai Jab Se Tera Haath Men (from Dil Aur Mohabbat, 1968)
6. C.H. Atma: Diya To Jala (from Dhake Ki Malmal, 1956)
7. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar: Piya Piya Piya Mora Jiya Pukare (from Baap Re Baap, 1955)
8. Shamshad Begum, Kishore Kumar, Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Aaj Suhani Raat Re (from Naya Andaz, 1956)
9. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Raat Sard Sard Hai (from Jaali Note, 1960
10. Suraiya & Mohd. Rafi: Too Zara Si Baat Pe (from Mr. Lambu, 1956)
11. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Raat Bhar Ka Hai Mehman Andhera (from Sone Ki Chidiya, 1958)
12. Kishore Kumar: Surma Mera Nirala (from Kabhi Andhera Kabhi Ujala, 1958)

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O.P. Nayyar: Sambandh (1969)

I haven't posted any O.P. Nayyar previously, which is odd as I have quite a few albums with his name on. And he's an interesting composer... he was among the first to focus on rhythm in an industry that up until the mid 50s had mostly been melody and song based. He was even known as The Rhythm King at one point if I recall correctly. I don't think that's at all apparent on 'Sambandh' though; possibly one of his most famous scores but not a favourite of mine.

It consists mostly of sad and slow-moving songs, more akin to the likes of Ravi than Nayyar's own earlier output. The exception is the film's hit 'Chal Akel', which in fact is the only track here I like. A bit. I'm thinking, therefore, that the other records I have by him will be better.

Track listing:
1. Mukesh: Chal Akela
2. Asha Bhosle: Akeli Hun Mai Piya Aa
3. Mahendra Kapoor: Andhere Me Jo Baithe Hain
4. Asha Bhosle: Apni Maaki Kismat Par
5. Hemant Kumar & Asha Bhosle: He Jagat Pita Parmatma Tumko To Karodon Saal Hue
6. Hemant Kumar & Mahendra Kapoor: Jo Diya Tha Tumne Ek Din
7. Mahendra Kapoor: Yeh Khushi Leke Mai Kya Karoon

PS. I couldn't locate any YouTube videos from 'Sambandh' that I liked, so instead I'll post what is probably O.P. Nayyar's most famous song, taken from 'Howrah Bridge' (1958). Which I unfortunately don't have. (And it's an excuse for showing Helen again...)

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